Psychosocial support for children and families requiring renal replacement therapy

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) can place a great strain on the child and family. As well as the medical and nutritional prescription, each child and family requires an individual psychosocial prescription that requires input from multiprofessional team members. The information needs of each child and family need to be constantly evaluated as well as the choice of therapy in relation to social, psychological and economic factors. Many tertiary units lack adequate 'time' to deliver such assessments and coordinate the support and respite care for those on long-term dialysis, especially when significant numbers of children are now accepted onto RRT programmes with co-morbidities. National and international standards are needed for the staffing of comprehensive tertiary paediatric renal units as well as studies evaluating supportive care to families. Keywords Psychosocial * Renal replacement therapy * Chronic kidney disease (CKD) * Multiprofessional team * Respite care
Introduction The diagnosis of chronic illness not only has implications for the child, but also for the whole family. A child with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be offered treatment, [...]